3 John · Chapter 1
3 John 1
Berean Standard Bible · Public domain · Source credits
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A Greeting from the Elder
(2 John 1:1–3)
1The elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth:
2Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and enjoy good health, as your soul also prospers.
3For I was overjoyed when the brothers came and testified about your devotion to the truth, in which you continue to walk.
4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
Gaius Commended for Hospitality
5Beloved, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, and especially since they are strangers to you.
6They have testified to the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.
7For they went out on behalf of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.
8Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
Diotrephes and Demetrius
9I have written to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept our instruction.*
10So if I come, I will call attention to his malicious slander against us. And unsatisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers and forbids those who want to do so, even putting them out of the church.
11Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.
12Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also testify for him, and you know that our testimony is true.
Conclusion
(2 John 1:12–13)
13I have many things to write to you, but I would prefer not to do so with pen and ink.
14Instead, I hope to see you soon and speak with you face to face. Peace to you. The friends here send you greetings. Greet each of our friends there by name.*
Source notes
Old Testament references
References from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Text from the Berean Standard Bible.
Psalms 20:1May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
Psalms 20:2May He send you help from the sanctuary and sustain you from Zion.
Psalms 20:3May He remember all your gifts and look favorably on your burnt offerings. Selah
Psalms 20:4May He give you the desires of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
Psalms 20:5May we shout for joy at your victory and raise a banner in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your petitions.
Psalms 119:11I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.
Proverbs 23:24The father of a righteous man will greatly rejoice, and he who fathers a wise son will delight in him.
Isaiah 8:18Here am I, and the children the LORD has given me as signs and symbols in Israel from the LORD of Hosts, who dwells on Mount Zion.
1 Kings 2:4and so that the LORD may fulfill His promise to me: ‘If your descendants take heed to walk faithfully before Me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.’
1 Kings 3:6Solomon replied, “You have shown much loving devotion to Your servant, my father David, because he walked before You in faithfulness, righteousness, and uprightness of heart. And You have maintained this loving devotion by giving him a son to sit on his throne this very day.
2 Kings 20:3“Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion; I have done what was good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
Psalms 26:1Vindicate me, O LORD! For I have walked with integrity; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.